Read Deeper Into the Void for Free Online

manner. A flare is handed over to her from one of the supply chests. With a quick tap of the flare against her thigh a bright green flame appears. The fact that the flare is burning confirms to her that the air within the dome contains enough oxygen to breathe.
     
Cardiff:

Alright, it looks good. Remove your helmets.

Long:

Wonderful! I have needed to scratch my nose all morning. You never have to scratch anything until you can’t reach it.

Mendez:

That’s the truth.
    Droplets of rain fall from the ceiling of the dome, where the water has been collecting. The faint light from the sun, broken into the varying colors of the rainbow by the glass dome, pass through the droplets as they fall. Grasses and vines cover the majority of the red Martian clay within the dome. The air has an odd, yet sweet smell and a familiar organic flavor.
    The pathway becomes damp and even slightly soggy with the invading rain as the team makes their way up the path. Mendez, Long and Cardiff finish making the initial survey of the dome and then start the journey along the barren path from the airlock to the complex plaza. The sound of boots treading in damp sand has a regular pattern that becomes almost distracting for the team as they approach the first building on their right, the laboratory. Doctor Long pulls away from the path and approaches the door of the lab.
    With helmet in hand, Long reaches for the door with his other hand. The stark darkness within seems to paralyze him as he can see it through a small crack of the ajar door. Skittishly, he withdraws his outstretched hand and steps backwards for a few steps until he is clear of the doorway.
     
Cardiff:

What did you see Doctor?

Long:

Uh, nothing really. The power must be out; I don’t see a light on anywhere.
    Mendez watches Long’s intent facial expression as he squints to view the other doorways that have become visible by their arrival at the base of the plaza. His sudden wince draws her attention along the line of sight that he appears to be fixated upon.
     
Mendez:

What did you see? I can’t see anything.
    Long remains fixated upon the cracked opening of the doorway to the utility building, barely visible from the bottom of the plaza, where they are standing. Mendez cocks her head to the side to get a better look at Long’s entranced face.
     
Cardiff:

What’s wrong!?… Long! What are you staring at?
    Long shakes his head back and forth slightly to break his motionless gaze. He reaches for his forehead and presses in on his temples with his gloved fingers.
     
Mendez:

Seriously, what’s…?

Long:

I’m fine. I am just tired, that’s all.

Cardiff:

Doctor Long, I need you to retrieve our gear that we left back at the airlock and join us in the mess hall. We seem to have lost the day in riding out here. Can you handle that?

Long:

Sounds good Captain.
    The day has passed slowly, but the end of the day has crept into thought. Cardiff still has a list of things that she wants to have taken care of before nightfall. As Long begins his trek back to the airlock doorway, the exterior lighting on some of the buildings begin to light up automatically.
    His feet shuffle down the damp, yet dusty path. Long stops for a brief moment to look up at the ceiling of the dome. The reflection of the lights up on the ceiling is a sight unlike anything Long has seen before. As he continues walking up the path, all while looking out on the illusory sights around him, a small wooden object is kicked out from underneath his boot.
    The small object tumbles along the surface of the sand and dust, until it comes to a stop a couple of meters in front of Long. He slowly approaches it. Long’s eyes squint in disbelief, and he warily picks up the item from the ground. Faded paint and chipped edges adorn the familiar object. He rubs his glove along the small wooden derby car. “How’d this get here?”
    Long removes his glove, and rubs his bare hand along the roughly sanded surface. As his